Users here on CounterGlow have in the past shown interest in our games so thought I'd pop over and post the announcement for the next title in the series.

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ANCASTER, Ontario - March 7, 2013 - BattleGoat Studios has today reoccupied the Rhineland with their announcement of Supreme Ruler 1936. This historical real time strategy game for Windows based PCs is scheduled for release in Q4, 2013.

"Throughout the development of our Supreme Ruler series, we saw a World War II title as the culmination of our grand vision", commented Lead Designer, David Thompson. "We've always endeavoured to make significant changes with each new title and this will be no exception. Supreme Ruler 1936 will immerse players in the historical era and feature a depth of play that will provide incredible challenge."

In Supreme Ruler 1936, players will be able to embark on the road to war in many different ways. Economic, scientific, and diplomatic challenges will certainly influence the ability of their nation to impose its will on the world. Meanwhile military buildups and escalating tensions throughout the world continue, as some nations flex their military might seeking to expand their territories, while others pursue peaceful and isolationist policies in hopes of avoiding a second world war.

Play Multiple Campaigns from either Axis or Allied perspective.

Take Control of any Nation in the World in Sandbox Mode and see how you can impact the outcome of the era.

Challenge yourself with many Historical Scenarios for a quicker and fast-paced gameplay experience.

The butterfly effect... Influence the timeline and outcome of thousands of historical events.

Use Diplomacy, Trade, Espionage, and Intimidation to influence the policies of other nations.

Research new Technologies to give your nation a significant military advantage including the Race for the Atomic Bomb!

Modernize your economy to become a world leader and support whatever social and military policies you choose.

Manage as much or as little of your military forces and production as you like by setting your Defense Minister's level of control.

When diplomacy fails... Sophisticated Real-Time Strategic and Tactical Control of your Military Forces.

Battle your enemy and Mother Nature, as a fully integrated weather model influences the outcomes of the battlefield.

About BattleGoat Studios
BattleGoat Studios is a Canadian Software Developer committed to developing leading edge “Intelligent Strategy Games” for the PC. BattleGoat’s game design history dates back to the first text-based Supreme Ruler game in 1982, and the design team firmly believes that Strategy Gamers are looking for more sophisticated games that also remain fun to play. BattleGoat insists that their approach to development will always emphasize an accurate, heavily researched environment assuring players an entertaining and immersive gameplay experience. Their previous PC releases are Supreme Ruler 2010, Supreme Ruler 2020 (Gold), and Supreme Ruler Cold War.
Official Website: http://www.battlegoat.com

Just a quick update to say that development is continuing, although we have pushed the release date back to Q1,2014. We will be self publishing with both Steam and Non-Steam versions available.

We've also launched a Kickstarter to reach some extra users and try and increase the scope of the project just a little more.

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BattleGoat Studios is excited to announce the launch of its Kickstarter to support the development of Supreme Ruler 1936.

In particular, this Kickstarter will allow us to develop more content for SR1936 (additional Campaigns, Scenarios, and other elements). It will also allow us to launch a beta program in late November to allow everyone to help us make Supreme Ruler 1936 the best game possible. And it's a great way to get the game at an early-supporter discount!

Yeah, potentionally interesting but how do you factor in Stalin's paranoia, Hitler's luck, French reticence, British blundering and the war between the Japanese Imperial Navy and Army?
J

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

Yeah, potentionally interesting but how do you factor in Stalin's paranoia, Hitler's luck, French reticence, British blundering and the war between the Japanese Imperial Navy and Army?
J

We'll factor it like many other games have - in moderation. Players want to be able to run parallel to history in some degrees but still have freedom of choice. Stalin's paranoia was fed by German misinformation. We can simulate some of that behind the scenes and make the Soviets less willing to join the Allies early on. We can keep flipping Japanese priorities between land and sea to represent the push for resources from the competing branches.

The bigger challenges will be dealing with the ways in which the player's "damage" the story. How many players as the Soviets will choose to purge? How many American players will make Pearl Harbour such a viable target?

And if you REALLY want to know how we're going to do all this...
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Join the kickstarter and get in the beta

Dear Chris,
Welcome to Counterglow. I, personally, appreciate your posting here. As you might guess from some of the other posters on this site not much is taken seriously. In fact, you can expect all of your closely held ideals and personality traits to be ridiculed and shredded over the time you spend here. Given that warning, come on, see what we can dish out.

btw, what do you mean by players "damaging" history?

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

Players will have many opportunities to throw history off the rails. Foreknowledge is a powerful thing. Playing as France you can expect Germany to attack you in 1940, so why not attack them in 1939? Or as Italy, turn on the Germans and join the Allies?

Some things will be more rigid depending on if you're in a Campaign, Scenario or Sandbox mode but we have to try and compensate for the broader issues to be sure the game doesn't fall flat because of player actions. To me that's the bigger challenge.

O.K. mr fancy pants game designer, I've got just one word for you: tech-trees!?
Yeah, what do you say to that smartjie?

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

Technically I just scored a point on you by making you state something obvious but since you are a newbie I'll let it go.
So, you play it forward to the 21st century, that' cool.
How important is the whole spying thingy, btw?

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

Yo, Chris! Did I scare you off already?
Canadians are soo thin skinned. [just kidding]

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

Ah hem, getting back on topic, Chris, how about if I wanted to change some generals around, say send Stilwell to North Africa or Kesselring to Belarus?
What do you say to that, eh?
Btw, how is Sir Penguin? He said he was Canadian too, but you know penguins.

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

We don't model the individual military leaders, but if you moved your experienced troops from one front to another, it would certainly change the outcome.

Sounds like a logistical nightmare if not an impossibility for the Allies.
So, if for example, the Red and Nationalist Chinese actually did the political and strategic right thing and cooperated, could they hurt the Japanese?

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

Well, 'yeah' for China.
I guess I have a couple of other 'what ifs' that trouble me such as how will you include some historical no shows like Ireland, Spain and Turkey?
Anymore tech-tree hints, btw?
Do you go by Chris or, ahem, Balthagor?

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

A great way to see all the new techs, buy into the kickstarter and join the beta

Too cheap for that, oh yeah, I'm too cheap for anything.

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

Hi Chris,
I visited your web site. I found it inhabited by a bunch of nerdy know-it-alls that need to get a life out side of being insufferable fan-boys to some, as yet, unfinished game.

. . . . . . Oh, yeah, that was this place.

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

In SR Cold War, a Campaign was from a specific region, Soviet Union or United States, with fixed goals. The sandbox allowed you to play as any region in the world and adjust a variety of map options including victory conditions. Scenarios where small set pieces such as "Don't let Pusan fall to the North Koreans by date x".

The system will be similar in SR1936 but full details have not yet been made public.

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

MDA, you are so lame.
Chris, I like your picture, you own that glasses and tshirt look!
Speaking of lame, your 'Off Topic" forum is too tame and well behaved. Where is all the teenage angst?
Anyway, on the question of world politics: Are there random deaths (assassinations, etc.) of significant world leaders? If so, how is that generated?
Thanks Battlegoat Guy.
j

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

Speaking of espionage, what kind of weight is placed on Ultra/Enigma? Quite the invisible hand in Allied political and military strategy and even tactics.

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

Yes, but it's not close to anything that I'm working on so I don't want to say something incorrect and some things aren't finalized. I only speak about features that have been categorized as "done" at least twice. To many past experiences of a feature on the cutting room floor for the sake of gameplay and angry forum posts of "but you said!".

Well Chris, that begs the question: What are the areas of expertise on which I can grill you? BTW, is there any chance of any of your other team mates to darken our door step to answer some burning questions, and no, they do not involve penicillin.

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

Unlikely that others will stop by. The more time we spend on a forum, the less time we spend developing the game. The fact that I let George (our programmer) away from his desk to answer our forums shows I'm getting soft.

Currently much of my work is in areas were it's a bit harder to grill me. I assemble the GUI, integrate our 3D models, build the data for our tech tree, for our equipment list, for the Orbats (order of battle, opening inventory of the countries) and of course forums support. Most of the features I'm working on either have been discussed already or I can't discuss them yet.

There have been some updates on the Kickstarter that include both screenshots and videos. You could check those out and post your questions from that.

OK, then, let's talk about tech-trees. As you roll the movie forward into the future how/what do you base your technological progress? This is in the realm of science fiction. That is OK, I love scifi but technological leaps are possible not just more and better of the same. Nanos will be huge not only in cosmetics but in medicine and weaponology. Just saying.

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

Nothing fictional for the 1936 era. We have carried over the entire tech tree from Cold War which had already carried over from SR2020 which is what gives us such reach. IIRC we haven't added anything in this version later than 60's or 70's. Some rebalancing was done to make military paths separate from technology paths during WWII and slightly beyond. You could start with Panzers in Germany and finish with mechs made in Nanotech Factories in 2065. But that'd be a hell of a campaign!

IIHO the bipedal mech tech is a dead end. I envision something more on the lines of "Starship Troopers" MI power armor. That would fit in the nano factory design capacity. If this has been discussed in "your" forum, pardon me.

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "

Technology is really interesting as you know. And the organization of economies and resources. One critical ' resource ' is population. In the historical WW II Germany had been bled dry by casualties on the Eastern Front. Even miracle weapons, except for the A bomb, could not have stop their defeat, thank god. IMHO.

__________________
"I wonder what became of all the Rockers and the Mods.
I hope they are making it and they've all got stead jobs,
Oh but rock and roll still lives on,
Yeah, rock and roll still lives on. "